For the initial post of this week’s discussion respond to one of the following options, and label the beginning of your post indicating either Option 1, Option 2, or Option 3:

Utilitarianism | Nursing homework help

Option 2:

In today’s world, social media apps have become an essential part of our lives, and people are always looking for new and innovative apps to explore. However, the question arises, should we always trust these apps blindly, or should we examine their consequences? In this scenario, a new social media app is offering to show how we will look after ten years if we upload a picture on it. This app has sparked a debate between two friends, John Doe and Jane Doe, over whether it is safe to use or not. John Doe argues that the app possesses our biometric facial data, while Jane Doe says that the app shares the data with a security firm that helps the government detect terrorists at airports.

If John Doe is correct, it raises a significant concern over the safety and privacy of our data. According to utilitarianism, an action is morally right if it results in the greatest good for the greatest number. Therefore, if using the app is beneficial for society as a whole, an utilitarian would support it. However, the potential consequences of giving up our facial biometric data could also lead to negative outcomes, such as identity theft, facial recognition surveillance, and a violation of our privacy rights. Hence, if John Doe is right, an utilitarian would not support the use of the app as it could harm the individual, even if it benefits society as a whole.

On the other hand, if Jane Doe is correct, then the app could be beneficial for society, as it helps to detect terrorists at airports. However, the app’s use still raises ethical concerns regarding the Fourth Amendment, which protects us from unreasonable searches and seizures. Social contract theorists believe that moral and political systems are a result of a contract between individuals and society. Therefore, if the app’s use is within the bounds of the law and regulations, a social contract theorist would support its use. However, if the use of the app violates individual rights, such as the Fourth Amendment, then it would be against the social contract, and the social contract theorist would not support it.

In conclusion, while the app may seem like a fun and harmless tool to explore, it raises significant ethical concerns. Therefore, before using such apps, individuals must consider the potential consequences and implications for themselves and society as a whole. It is essential to strike a balance between individual and social interests and to ensure that the use of these apps does not violate any fundamental human rights.

References:

• OpenAI. (2021). “AI and Ethics”. Retrieved from https://openai.com/ai-and-ethics/.
• Pogge, T. W. (2005). “Human rights and global health: A research program.” Metaphilosophy, 36(1-2), 182-209. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9973.2005.00362.x